Inter-Rater Reliability of Thyroid Ultrasound Risk Criteria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The most commonly employed diagnostic criteria for identifying thyroid nodules include Thyroid Imaging and Reporting Data System (TI-RADS) and American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to determine the inter-rater reliability of thyroid ultrasound criteria. METHODS: We performed a library search of MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), and Web of Science for full-text articles published from January 2005 to June 2022. We included full-text primary research articles that used TI-RADS and/or ATA guidelines to evaluate thyroid nodules in adults. These included studies must have calculated inter-rater reliability using any validated metric. The Quality Appraisal for Reliability Studies (QAREL) was used to assess study quality. We planned for a random-effects meta-analysis, in addition to covariate and publication bias analyses. This study was performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis guidelines and registered prior to conduction (International prospective register of systematic reviews-PROSPERO: CRD42021275072). RESULTS: Of the 951 articles identified via the database search, 35 met eligibility criteria. All studies were observational. The most commonly utilized criteria were ACR Thyroid Imaging and Reporting Data System (TI-RADS) and/or ATA criteria, while the majority of studies employed Κ statistics. For ACR TI-RADS, the pooled Κ was 0.51 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.42, 0.57; n = 7) while for ATA, the pooled Κ was 0.52 (95% CI: 0.37, 0.67; n = 3). Due to the small number of studies, covariate or publication bias analyses were not performed. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound criteria demonstrate moderate inter-rater reliability, but these findings are impacted by poor study quality and a lack of standardization. Laryngoscope, 133:485-493, 2023.

A pilot prospective prevalence study of chronic rhinosinusitis associated with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Extra-intestinal manifestations such as pulmonary diseases have been reported. Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), an inflammatory condition of the sinonasal mucosa, has been associated with several lung diseases. Given the relationship between lung and intestinal pathologies, and lung and sinus pathologies, we aimed to determine the prevalence of IBD among CRS patients. Methods: Pilot prevalence study. Ninety-two CRS patients were screened for IBD symptoms from October 2018 to January 2020. Patient-reported disease symptoms and overall quality of life were evaluated using the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT-22), Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (SIBDQ), and EuroQol 5 Dimension 5 Level (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaires. The Modified Lund-Kennedy (MLK) endoscopic and Lund-Mackay (LM) grading systems were used to confirm CRS diagnoses. Individuals who reported subjective symptoms of IBD were referred to a gastroenterologist clinic for further diagnostics. Results: Twenty of the 92 (20.2%, 95% CI: 12.6%-29.8%) CRS patients reported symptoms of IBD and four individuals (4.26%, 95% CI: 1.17%-10.50%) were subsequently diagnosed with IBD. Compared to patients without IBD symptoms (n = 72), those with symptoms (n = 20) reported significantly worse SNOT-22 (P = 0.002), SIBDQ (P < 0.05), and EQ-5D-3L (P = 0.0063) scores. However, these patients did not exhibit significantly different MLK (P = 0.81) or LM (P = 0.04) scores. Conclusion: The prevalence of IBD may be elevated among individuals with CRS relative to the general Canadian population. This pilot study suggests that CRS with IBD is associated with lower quality of life. Further cross-sectional studies with larger sample sizes are required.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on American College of Surgeons-Accredited Education Institutes & American Society of Anesthesiologists-Simulation Education Network: Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges for simulation programs including American College of Surgeons Accredited Education Institutes and American Society of Anesthesiologists Simulation Education Network. American College of Surgeons Accredited Education Institutes and American Society of Anesthesiologists Simulation Education Network leadership were surveyed to identify opportunities to enhance patient safety through simulation. METHODS: Between January and June 2021, surveys consisting of 3 targeted domains: (I) Changing practice; (II) Contributions and recognition; and (III) Moving ahead were distributed to 100 American College of Surgeons Accredited Education Institutes and 54 American Society of Anesthesiologists Simulation Education Network centers. Responses were combined and percent frequencies reported. RESULTS: Ninety-six respondents, representing 51 (51%) American College of Surgeons Accredited Education Institutes, 17 (31.5%) American Society of Anesthesiologists Simulation Education Network, and 28 dually accredited centers, completed the survey. Change of practice. Although 20.3% of centers stayed fully operational at the COVID-19 onset, 82% of all centers closed: 32% were closed less than 3 months, 28% were closed 3 to 6 months, 8% were closed 7 to 9 months, and 32% remained closed as of June 6, 2021. Most impacted activities were large-group instruction and team training. Sixty-nine percent of programs converted in-person to virtual programs. Contributions. The top reported innovative contributions included policies (80%), curricula (80%), and scholarly work (74%), Moving ahead. The respondents' top concerns were returning to high-quality training to best address learners' deficiencies and re-engagement of re-directed training programs. When asked "How the American College of Surgeons/American Society of Anesthesiologists Programs could best assist your simulation center goals?" the top responses were "facilitate collaboration" and "publish best practices from this work." CONCLUSION: The Pandemic presented multiple challenges and opportunities for simulation centers. Opportunities included collaboration between American College of Surgeons Accredited Education Institutes and the American Society of Anesthesiologists Simulation Education Network to identify best practices and resources needed to enhance patient safety through simulation.

Deaf and hard of hearing awareness training: A mentor-led workshop.

BACKGROUND: People who are deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) comprise a significant and increasing proportion of the population. They face many barriers to accessing good health care and major communication challenges with health professionals. There is evidence that DHH awareness training for health professionals needs improvement but little information about how such training is incorporated into curricula. The research question we address is how to develop and deliver an effective workshop for students led by people who, by definition, have barriers to communication due to hearing loss and deafness. METHODS: Workshop development was initiated and led by a medical student as a course project, in collaboration with DHH people, other students, and university faculty in an iterative participatory educational design process, supported by a community-based organization that provides programs and services for DHH people. Development resulted in a pilot workshop suitable for all health professional students. RESULTS: Three workshops were attended by a total of 49 students from 10 different health disciplines. Workshops were highly rated. Thematic analysis of post-workshop reflections written by occupational therapy students showed learning in the domains of knowledge, skills (practical tips and techniques), and attitudes (assumptions, motivation, reflection). CONCLUSIONS: Partnership with a community organization makes it feasible for DHH people to design and facilitate workshops. The organization can provide the necessary environment, technology, and support, and identify people with lived experience to be workshop mentors. Workshops help make students more aware of the needs of DHH people and motivate them to provide better care.

Clinical evidence based review and recommendations of aerosol generating medical procedures in otolaryngology - head and neck surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Aerosol generating medical procedures (AGMPs) present risks to health care workers (HCW) due to airborne transmission of pathogens. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential for HCWs to recognize which procedures are potentially aerosolizing so that appropriate infection prevention precautions can be taken. The aim of this literature review was to identify potential AGMPs in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery and provide evidence-based recommendations. METHODS: A literature search was performed on Medline, Embase and Cochrane Review databases up to April 3, 2020. All titles and abstracts of retrieved studies were evaluated and all studies mentioning potential AGMPs were included for formal review. Full text of included studies were assessed by two reviewers and the quality of the studies was evaluated. Ten categories of potential AGMPs were developed and recommendations were provided for each category. RESULTS: Direct evidence indicates that CO2 laser ablation, the use of high-speed rotating devices, electrocautery and endotracheal suctioning are AGMPs. Indirect evidence indicates that tracheostomy should be considered as potential AGMPs. Nasal endoscopy and nasal packing/epistaxis management can result in droplet transmission, but it is unknown if these procedures also carry the risk of airborne transmission. CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, special care should be taken when CO2 lasers, electrocautery and high-speed rotating devices are used in potentially infected tissue. Tracheal procedures like tracheostomy and endotracheal suctioning can also result in airborne transmission via small virus containing aerosols.

Clinical evidence based review and systematic scientific review in the identification of malignant transformation of inverted papilloma.

BACKGROUND: Inverted papilloma (IP) is an unusual type of benign tumor that has high recurrence rates and the potential to transform into squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). The mechanism of the transformation process from IP to IP-SCC is uncertain and there is no consensus regarding the best practice for IP-SCC detection. The goal of this study is to identify the best clinical methods to detect for IP-SCC. METHODS: An evidence-based review was performed using Medline and Ovid to obtain all articles up to October 10th, 2019 pertaining to identification of IP malignant transformation. All manuscripts discussing clinical methods or biomarkers were included. RESULTS: Based on clinical research studies, convoluted cerebriform pattern and apparent diffusion coefficient values on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can help differentiate benign IP from SCC and increased SUVmax on PET/CT is associated with higher probability of malignancy although not as specific. No consensus about the best biomarker for IP-SCC has been reached among researchers and continues to be exploratory. CONCLUSION: Endoscopy with biopsy is the gold standard practice to identify IP-SCC; however, MRI is the preferred imaging modality to recognize malignant transformation in cases where biopsy is difficult. Multiple biomarkers have shown positive results, but no single indicator with clinical significance for monitoring malignant transformation process has been found.

Regulated Expression of sgRNAs Tunes CRISPRi in E. coli.

Methods for implementing dynamically-controlled multi-gene programs could expand capabilities to engineer metabolism for efficiently producing high-value compounds. This work explores whether CRISPRi repression can be tuned in E. coli through the regulated expression of the CRISPRi machinery. When dCas9 is not limiting, variations in sgRNA expression alone can lead to CRISPRi repression levels ranging from 5- to 300-fold. Titrating sgRNA expression over a 2.5-fold range results in 16-fold changes in reporter gene expression. Many different classes of genetic controllers can generate 2.5-fold differences in transcription, suggesting they may be integrated into dynamically-regulated CRISPRi circuits. Finally, CRISPRi cannot be reversed for up to 12 hours by expressing a competing sgRNA later in the growth phase, indicating that CRISPR-Cas:DNA interactions can be persistent in vivo. Collectively, these results identify genetic architectures for tuning CRISPRi repression through regulated sgRNA expression and suggest that dynamically-regulated CRISPRi systems targeting multiple genes may be within reach.

The mental health of adolescents and pre-adolescents living with inherited arrhythmia syndromes: a systematic review of the literature.

Potentially fatal arrhythmias add to the mental health challenges of adolescence. This systematic review sought to summarise current knowledge regarding the mental health of adolescents and pre-adolescents diagnosed with inherited arrhythmia syndromes. Searches combining psychological problems with inherited cardiac arrhythmia diagnoses identified 16 studies with paediatric (<18 years) inherited arrhythmia patients. All studies were cross-sectional; 8/16 required an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. Methods were quantitative (n=11), qualitative (n=4), or mixed (n=1), with 14-100% of participants having an inherited arrhythmia syndrome. Mean/median age in 13/16 studies was 12-16 years. Patients and parents reported lower quality of life, particularly in relation to physical function, social relationships, restriction of peer activities, bodily pain, and mental and emotional health. Self-perceptions and behaviour were similar to healthy populations. Rates of anxiety and depression (15-33% of these patients) were not increased in these studies where patients were assessed 2+ years after diagnosis. Higher mental health risk occurred among patients who have a diagnosed sibling, those with cardiomyopathy, and those who report decreased quality of life. Mental health research among youth with inherited arrhythmias is extremely limited and of low quality. Data, primarily from patients 2-4 years after diagnosis or treatment with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, indicate that quality of life may be decreased and 15-33% experience mental health issues. Future research is required to examine the mental health and quality of life of paediatric patients with inherited arrhythmia syndromes, whether or not they have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, from time of diagnosis.

The Madison Clinic: Evaluation of a collaborative outpatient paediatric palliative care clinic.

BACKGROUND: A multidisciplinary outpatient clinic at a tertiary care children's hospital supported and staffed by a children's hospice was created to enhance and expand the inpatient palliative care services available to families of children with life-limiting conditions. This clinic was created with input from clinicians, program leaders and families in developing the goals and format. METHOD: The clinic was evaluated with indicators that included program data from palliative care consultations. This information was collected and recorded on a prospective basis. RESULTS: In the first 29 months of operation, 43 clinics were held, 39 individual patients were seen and there were 59 visits. The majority of visits were for pain and symptom management (75%), while 20% were for assessment for the hospice program. The hospice-palliative care team also provided telephone support, videoconference support and inpatient consultations. Patients reported overall satisfaction with their experiences at the clinic. DISCUSSION: A major benefit of this outpatient palliative care clinic is its ability to offer continuity of care for patients and their families. It also serves as a preliminary introduction to palliative care, particularly significant for families who are not yet ready to learn about or engage in the full hospice program.

An interdisciplinary, evidence-based process of clinical pathway implementation increases pathway usage.

Clinical pathways have been implemented in many healthcare settings as a link between evidence and practice. Most published research concludes that when clinical pathways are implemented and used by health professionals, there is a positive impact on health outcomes. However, some research also suggests that utilization of clinical pathways by health professionals is low and that implementation strategies for linking evidence with clinical practice often prove to be weak or ineffective. This paper describes a before and after study to determine whether an interdisciplinary, genuinely collaborative, and evidence-based process of clinical pathway implementation resulted in increased documented use of an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) clinical pathway by health professionals in a regional Australian hospital. Underpinning the design and implementation process was the belief that true team involvement would lead to ownership, acceptance, and, ultimately, to increased usage of the pathway. Documented clinical pathway usage was measured in two ways: (1) the presence of the AMI clinical pathway in the medical records of patients diagnosed with an AMI and (2) the proportion of the AMI clinical pathway completed when it was present in the medical record. A total of 195 medical records of those diagnosed with an AMI were audited before (n = 124) and after (n = 71) the implementation process. The interdisciplinary, truly collaborative, and evidence-based implementation process resulted in a statistically significant increase in documented usage of the AMI pathway (22.6% vs. 57.7%; p <.000). Results indicate that involvement of key users in the design and implementation of a clinical pathway significantly increases staff utilization of the document.